Eddie Blackwood, the borough’s animal protection department director, pets one of the adoptable cats available at the shelter.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly meets in regular session on Monday, and on the agenda is a presentation from the borough’s Animal Protection Department.
The department’s director, Eddie Blackwood, will talk about an analysis of the department. That analysis found deficiencies in customer service, public relations and general outreach efforts.
The Animal Protection Department has been evolving over the past few years, and euthanasia rates have dropped. But, the current animal shelter has structural limitations that renovations may not be able to address.
The Borough Assembly last week decided to issue a Request for Proposals in hopes of finding a private business or organization that could operate a shelter service for the borough, on a contractual basis. The borough would retain animal code enforcement powers.
Also on Monday, the Assembly will vote again on an ordinance increasing sludge pumping fees. The ordinance failed last week, but because some Assembly members weren’t present to vote on the issue, reconsideration was requested.
In his report to the Assembly, Borough Manager Dan Bockhorst asks for four-hand approval to travel to Juneau along with the borough attorney if a legislative hearing is scheduled on the borough’s lawsuit against the state over the required local contribution for public education.
Monday’s meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in Borough Assembly chambers at the White Cliff building. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
